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Basque Shepherd Dog
dog breed
Photo · Wikipedia FR (CC BY-SA)
Weight
21–38 kg
Size
Large
Lifespan
9–12 ans
Energy
Élevé
Origin
Pays basque
Coat
Fawn, red. Medium to long hair
Maintenance
Élevé
Training
Très élevé
The Basque Shepherd is a dog breed originating from the Basque Country. It is used as a shepherd and cattle guard dog.
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Élevé
Trainability
Très élevé
Maintenance
Élevé
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Large size (21–38 kg): plan for space, exercise and food budget.
- 2Life expectancy: 9 to 12 years on average, depending on hygiene and diet.
- 3High energy level — at least 1 hour of activity per day for his balance.
- 4Regular grooming — brushing 3 to 5 times per week.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Basque Shepherd Dog
Our selection
Dry food suited to the Basque Shepherd Dog
Character
Daily temperament
The two varieties are also very different. Indeed, the Gorbeia is an extremely social and affectionate dog, even towards strangers, which is quite surprising for a shepherd dog and is often considered the family dog on family farms. Its use is most often as a herd dog thanks to its great physical qualities and great intelligence which facilitates its training. It is the variety most used in shepherd dog competitions. The Iletsua, on the contrary, is much more territorial but still maintains a very strong bond with its master. It is often used as a guard dog because of its territorial qualities and more imposing physical appearance.
Physical
Breed standard
Its weight varies from 17 to 36 kg depending on sex, as does its average height between 46 and 61 cm. Its lifespan is approximately 13-14 years. There are two varieties, the Gorbeiakoa and the Iletsua. The breed was officially recognized by the Royal Canin society in Spain on June 1, 1995. Its official name is Euskal Artzain Txakurra which means in Basque 'Basque Shepherd Dog'. The latter has a fawn, reddish coat with some slight lighter areas and should not be confused with the Pyrenean Shepherd which has beige and brown colors. The Basque Shepherd appears several times in Basque mythology and later was recognized in various 16th century frescoes, evidence of a popularity that went beyond rural circles to reach the highest spheres of the Court of the time. Since the 18th century, they have been painted or drawn in the works of Paret y Alcaszar, Doré, Guiard, Arrue…
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From the end of the 19th century to the first decades of the 20th century, a period of regression set in for this breed, particularly in Guipuzcoa and Navarre due to severe wolf attacks on flocks guarded by Basque shepherds. To try to stop these attacks, shepherds then began to use pure flock guard dogs like the Pyrenean Mastiff which worked. The number of Basque Shepherds thus decreased due to this replacement. In Alava and Biscay, however, this decline was not as pronounced and they alternated herding work with guard and warning work in hamlets when not with the flocks. It was this dual use that was one of the keys to ensuring the breed did not become extinct. Later, shepherd dog competitions (the first of which took place in France in 1985) brought honor to the Basque Shepherd both for its qualities in directing a flock and for its atypical bright color because in these competitions the most represented breed was the Border Collie, a dog with darker and more common colors. A plan was launched via a grant and research project to study Basque Shepherds with ethnological, biochemical, genetic and breeding methodology in 1991. After a thorough examination of more than 3000 specimens throughout the Basque Country, recognition of the Basque Shepherd in Spain under the name Euskal Artzain Txakurra was formalized. As mentioned above, there are two varieties of Basque Shepherd: the Gorbeia and the Iletsua which, although they are part of the same breed, are physically quite different.
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Basque Shepherd Dog of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of basque shepherd dog (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
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Âge
What human age for a basque shepherd dog ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 9–12 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
23 à 44 kg — a giant dog ages significantly faster than a small dog after maturity.
Equivalent human age
30years
Adulte
Most stable period. Monthly weigh-in, annual vet visit, dental care — this determines quality of life in later years.
Method: AVMA table: 15 human years in year one, +9 in year two, then +6 per year for a grand dog.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Alert
To avoid for dog
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- low-fat cocoa powderModerate
- maltitolModerate
- cocoa pasteModerate
- onion piecesModerate
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a basque shepherd dog ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for dog. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Result
326 g
per day · 1240 kcal
163 g / repas (2 par jour)
Calculation for food of 380 kcal/100g.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Basque Shepherd Dog
Is a Basque Shepherd suitable for apartment living?+
How much exercise per day for a Basque Shepherd?+
What is the life expectancy of a Basque Shepherd?+
Is a Basque Shepherd good with children?+
If you like this dog
Breeds with similar profiles
For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Basque Shepherd Dog.
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